Ninety-nine beneficiaries have received affordable houses at Onandjaba Village Council in the Omusati Region.

The houses were built in partnership between the government, private sector, and the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) and handed over by Omusati Governor Immanuel Shikongo on behalf of Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa.

Although the houses are not yet connected to water and electricity, Shikongo assured beneficiaries that their concerns would be taken up by his office in collaboration with the local village council.

In his speech, Sankwasa commended the federation for empowering communities to participate in building their own homes.

"I've been informed that the entire construction process, from bricklaying, digging trenches, laying pipes, transporting sand, and the actual building, was done by none other than the beneficiaries of the houses we are handing over today."

The initiative forms part of 865 affordable houses being delivered countrywide through a partnership involving the ministry, SDFN, Standard Bank Namibia, and Ninety One Namibia Investment Company.

Sankwasa also commended the Omusati Regional Council for working with the Federation to facilitate the construction of 15 affordable houses in Ogongo, Onesi, and Onandjaba.

He said the ministry would prioritise informal settlement upgrading, land servicing, and access to affordable housing finance over the next five years.

One of the beneficiaries, Rebeca Ngashimuwete, joined the Federation a year ago and completed her house in three months.

“I am happy that I managed to get my house. I have only been with the Federation for a year, and I built this house in three months. I am urging my fellow youth and those still living in shacks to join the Federation so they can also build their own houses.”